mobo/CPU Combo, im gonna need help

Currently i have a 1.8GHz, 512mb (PC2100) DDR SDRAM, Pentium 4, Radeon 9600XT.

i was recommended to change my RAM to 1 gig of PC2700 or 3200 DDR. However, when i ran Crucial's ram compatibility test, it said that my current mobo can only support PC2100 and lower. Because of this, i decided to get a new mobo and cpu altogether.

Mobo + CPU combos (prefably AthlonXP processor)
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...5214&CatId=188
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...3319&CatId=188
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...319&CatId=1231

if these combos arent particularly reliable, plz give me some combos of your own. I'll also need the ethernet port and audio, mic, and line ports

RAM
Im looking for two 512 mb PC2700-3200 chips that will be compatible w/ the mobos.

i dont know much about mobos and cpus and im worried about the compatibility issures.

budget: prefably around 350-400$, but dont sacrifice reliability for a few bux

Board: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...223&CatId=1124

CPU: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...1087&CatId=256
Note: If you can still find a 2500+ or 2600+ Barton then get on of those. Save some money and they overclock very well.
Also note that the CPU I linked is "Retail Box" meaning that it comes with the cooler and 3 year warranty.

Dual Channel PC3200 RAM: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...sp?EdpNo=84386
Get PC3200 RAM that can run at 400MHz. The motherboard is made to be able to run at 400MHz Front Side Bus so it only makes sense.




Note: You could choose to get the 3200+ that runs at 400 Front Side Bus: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...1706&CatId=256
You would get full use of the 400MHz performance without overclocking but at a higher cost.

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RAM
Im looking for two 512 mb PC2700-3200 chips that will be compatible w/ the mobos.

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I just noticed that you want 2x512 MB so... http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...365&CatId=1354

Who suggested you should increase your RAM, and why?

Although your system may only support PC2100 and slower, that doesn't mean that faster memory won't work in your system, it merely means that you wont get the added benifit of having better hardware.

If you get the faster (PC3200) memory, it will work in the current system and it will probably be compatible with higher specification systems you may build in the future; PC2100 memory almost certainly will not be compitable with future systems.

upgrading your CPU would be a priority, 512MB RAM is enough for most things......

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Originally Posted by Storm

upgrading your CPU would be a priority, 512MB RAM is enough for most things......

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hmm, i may consider buying the w 256 Ram chips instead of the two 512 b/c otherwise i would be overbudget. Is it a really noticable difference in performance between 512 and 1 gig if im only running one game or app at a time... say HL2?

512 should be enough for most needs, even running multiple programs.

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Originally Posted by Virtualbody1234

512 should be enough for most needs, even running multiple programs.

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great, thx all for the help, im pretty sure i'll ahve to make another post about how to install the parts after i get them

installing RAM is pretty easy (as opposed to installing the HSF which always freaks me out, always nearly crap in my pants that im gonna shoot past the clip and make a nice whole with the screwdriver :P)

the best way to installing RAM (and CPU+HSF) is to have the mobo out of the case, this is because if it is in the case, you will put pressure on your mobo and cause it to bend........ this will prolly not be a problem, but you are needlessly stressing it......

installing RAM is pretty easy, just open the clips by pressing them down (to remove a DIMM stick you take this step as well, then just take it out), then slide your module into place (look for the notch to make sure you dont get it backwards) then press down one side, and then the other. it should just click into place.....

(btw, i run msn, azureus, emule, slsk winamp and illustrator on 512MB without a problem, 3 of which can be real RAM hogs)

whats an HSF?

also, what would a AthlonXP 2800+ be equivalent to in Intel P4 terms?

HSF= Heat Sink and Fan (the cooling block and the fan that sits on it)

equivalent of a XP 2800+ (pricewise) is a P4 2.4 GHz

equivalent of a XP 2800+ (speedwise) is a P4 2.8 GHz
http://www6.tomshardware.com/cpu/200...s/image009.gif

wow, didnt think Athlon was so much better, i thought it was just marginal, tahts sum good news, thx

its not better........ just WAY cheaper ;)

for the heatsink and fan, is it included w/ the cpu? When i read the detailed specs for the cpu it said that it included a "fan", is this all i need?

how is this fan/heatsink? http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...sp?EdpNo=86205

As I already told you... The ones I linked for you have the cooler included.

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AMD Athlon XP2800+ / 512K Cache / 333MHz FSB / Socket A / Barton Core / Processor with Fan

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AMD CPUs can be bought:

OEM: without box or cooler and reduced warranty.
or
Retail Box: with cooler and 3 year warranty.

Get the box version.

"Please note that all processors may be returned only for defective exchange. You must purchase a compatible heatsink and fan on the same order as the processor in order to preserve your warranty or exchange privilege. We are not able to accept returns for refunds on processors under any circumstances. All processors will be inspected and tested upon return and any damage caused by poor packaging, overclocking, or other tampering with the processor will be cause for the return to be refused, and exchange denied."

The people at Tiger wrote this, the part w/
"You must purchase a compatible heatsink and fan on the same order as the processor in order to preserve your warranty or exchange privilege."

worried me cuz im not sure if they mean separately or it jsut must be in the overall purchase

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Originally Posted by Timz

"Please note that all processors may be returned only for defective exchange. You must purchase a compatible heatsink and fan on the same order as the processor in order to preserve your warranty or exchange privilege. We are not able to accept returns for refunds on processors under any circumstances. All processors will be inspected and tested upon return and any damage caused by poor packaging, overclocking, or other tampering with the processor will be cause for the return to be refused, and exchange denied."

The people at Tiger wrote this, the part w/
"You must purchase a compatible heatsink and fan on the same order as the processor in order to preserve your warranty or exchange privilege."

worried me cuz im not sure if they mean separately or it jsut must be in the overall purchase

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That's just a standard message, the retail versions come with a heatsink from AMD so you are automatically buying a compatible heatsink at the same time.

k, thx, all, ordered the stuff, should be here in a few days

What exactly did you order?

i ordered the gigabyte mobo, the Kingston PC3200 x2 RAM (512 total) and the the box version of the CPU, 2800+AthlonXP

erm, do i need thermal gel too? i just read Tom's Hardware Guide to building PCs and im not sure if its included w/ what i bought

i think your CPU will come with a thermal pad, (does same thing as gell but its a pad)

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Originally Posted by twister

i think your CPU will come with a thermal pad, (does same thing as gell but its a pad)

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Yes, it does come with a thermal pad already on the heatsink. Perfectly fine if you aren't overclocking.

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Originally Posted by Virtualbody1234

Yes, it does come with a thermal pad already on the heatsink. Perfectly fine if you aren't overclocking.

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thats good, one less thing to worry about